Irene M. Harbison

1938 - 2019

MIDDLEFIELD – Irene M. Harbison, 80, passed away early Monday morning, May 13, 2019, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. 

She was born October 25, 1938, in Cooperstown, a daughter of Glenn D. and Geneva (McRorie) Morrison. 

A graduate of Cooperstown High School, Class of 1956, Irene was employed for many years as a secretary at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Cooperstown. She later stayed at home to take care of her mother until her passing in 1992. 

A long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Cooperstown, she faithfully served the Middlefield Center Cemetery for many years in various capacities and was a long-time volunteer at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital. She was also involved with 4-H, and in 1976 was recognized with grateful appreciation for her outstanding 20 years of service to the Otsego County 4-H Youth Development Program.

Irene is survived by her guardians, nephew David Morrison of Shapleigh, Maine, and niece Donna Hupe of Springvale, Maine, and numerous other nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Theodore “Ted” Harbison (2002), and her three brothers, Donald W. Morrison (2000), Lester C. Morrison (2004) and Walter G. Morrison (1981).

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, May 18, 2019, at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.

In accordance with Irene’s wishes, there will be no services. 

As a way to remember Irene, her family respectfully requests that memorial gifts be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, Meadows Office Complex, Suite 5, 140 County Highway 33W, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.


If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.